Does Holding Your Stomach In Help?
 

Probably a silly question...but I have had a couple of exercise teachers tell me that if I get into the habit of holding my stomach/abdominals in consciously throughout the day, then it will eventually tighten up and stay in naturally. Anyone else heard this? Or were they just adding to our torture?! :o

As far as I know,we can hold the abdominal muscles in for a few seconds but not constantly.Hold them then relax for a while,that will cause the muscles to tighten and eventually stay in:)

What you should do is familiarize yourself on the techinque of the "Vaccum" and do that throughout the day.

It will tighten the viscera and can make your waist smaller.and you can do it anywhere anytime.

If anything, it will help your posture!

In school, I always could do more sit-ups than anybody else...even though I was fat. I attributed it to the fact that I was always holding my tummy in.

Yes, I do believe that keeping the abs tight at a low level (obviously one cannot do a vacuum constantly, but you can hold them slightly tightened) will help you remember to keep them tight. Denise Austin refers to it as "zipping up," I believe. I was always in the habit of tightening up my abs when I was younger...I even had them tightened when I was pregnant! My tummy went back flat pretty darn quick! I second those vacuums as an absolutely amazing exercise! No body remembers to exercise that, always concentrating on the upper, lower, and obliques. I can't remember the name of that muscle (transverse abdominus, maybe?) that actually holds the viscera in place. Very underworked in most people. Do them every time you think about it for a few seconds.

Yup, the transverse. Think pulling your belly button in towards your spine. I do them--I think they help, esp. if you've had babies. :)

As the other have said this will help, but the results wont be significant. A few extra calories burned and a bit of toning on your abdominal muscles, but dont expect miracles!

OK, so what's the vacuum technique? Is is where you breathe out as much as possible, exhaling from your abdomen, then holding the exhale for a count of *whatever* while tightening the abs, then releasing the *vacuum*? I've done that off and on for several years (OK, more off than on), and I can feel the pull in the abs.

I did a search, and apparently didn't find the right keywords, cause I got nada. :help:

Thanks! :)

Here is an article on them:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ms-fit5.htm

wow good article Galatia..that is one of my boys John Defendis.he was a psycho trainer.. up to 60 sets per bodypart per session!!!!

He and Steve Michalik invented the "intensity or insanity" training system..balls to the wall for 40-70 sets per bodypart

I might suggest a carb replacment drink after that routine...just kidding Dane!

HA!

That made me LOL for realz. :lol: :thup:

Thank you, Galatia. That article really helped. Yup, that's pretty much what I've been doing...except that I've only been holding the vacuum for about 10 seconds per rep. I guess I've got a goal to work towards now. :D

No, it will not help. Your muscles will not "tighten up" and stay that way. Skeletal muscles don't work that way.

Thanks for the article. I was really encouraged until I got to the part that says:

"This is exciting news, but it does come along with some pre-requisites which are pre-established clean eating habits, adequate water intake, and a low to moderate bodyfat percentage. Depending on how you hold your weight, anywhere from 12 to 15% and less is acceptable...."

That pretty much dashed all my hopes. Thanks anyway, though...I guess I will just have to learn to love my pouchy tummy when I lose the weight. :p

Yeah, that kind of threw me too. However, I've been doing the vacuum thingie for a few days now and find that I can FEEL the transverse muscle after I do them. I think that even if you don't have the uber-low body fat, doing these vacuums to the best of your ability can help you tone the muscles that will help you flatten your stomach as you shrink down.

After all, we all have to start somewhere. :)